Appendix:Glossary of ecology

This is a glossary of ecology.

C

 * commensal : An organism partaking in a commensal relationship.


 * commensalism : A sharing of the same environment by two organisms without specific harm or benefit to either.

E

 * ecosystem : A system formed by an ecological community and its environment that functions as a unit.

H

 * host : A cell or organism which harbors another organism or biological entity, usually a parasite.

M

 * mutualism : Any interaction between two species that benefits both; typically involves the exchange of substances or services.

N

 * niche : A function within an ecological system to which an organism is especially suited.

P

 * parasite : A (generally undesirable) living organism that exists by stealing the resources needed by another living organism.


 * parasitism : An interaction between two organisms, in which one organism (the parasite) benefits and the other (the host) is harmed

S

 * symbiote : An organism in a partnership with another such that each profits from their being together; a symbiont.


 * symbiosis : A close, prolonged association between two or more different organisms of different species that normally benefits both members.